93-year-old Dr M proves that age is no excuse to slow down

PHOTO: The Straits Times

With the oldest elected leader in the world, Malaysia has taken the definition of active ageing to a whole new level. At 93, prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is setting new benchmarks. After all, if a nonagenarian can clock in a full day of work, what’s anyone else’s excuse?

While the ways in which people age aren’t mutually exclusive, Malaysians now have an opportunity to challenge preconceived ideas about ageing, says Assoc Prof Dr Noran Mohd Hairi from Universiti Malaya’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine.

“Our new PM and his wife and the entire Council of Eminent Persons are challenging society’s outdated beliefs. They are changing conversations on ageing and encouraging us to re-think the negative stories we sometimes tell ourselves and each other about growing old.

“They inspire us and show us the ability to live longer is not impossible. Their healthy (physically and mentally) lives is a great achievement, and this tells us that we should embrace ageing as something to look forward to and not something to fear.

Dr Noran feels that ageism must be socially unacceptable and that society must challenge negative stereotypes about ageing. Photo: filepic

“They have proven to us that the later years can be just as productive, meaningful, purposeful as previous years – what you do after 90 is as amazing as what you do in your 30s, or 40s or even 50s,” says Dr Noran, who is part of Peace, a study on preventing neglect and abuse among elder persons.

Negative stereotyping about age, she says, hurts society as it places artificial barriers on what people believe, thus preventing them from “living the best years of their lives” regardless of their age.

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“Socially ingrained ageism can dangerously become self-fulfilling. We need to take control of our own age and our health – no smoking, no alcohol, never overeat and save more so we don’t outlive our wealth.

“We need a new understanding of ageing, especially since Malaysia’s life expectancy is growing.

“Unfortunately, ageism is the most tolerated form of prejudice compared to racism or sexism.

“Ageism must be socially unacceptable and we must challenge negative stereotypes. Now we have once again proven that Malaysia Boleh!, with our own examples,” says Dr Noran.

She believes ageing stereotypes are already changing. Young people are amazed at the country’s elder leaders’ commitment to helping the country move forward while seniors can redeem their rightful place as contributing members of society.

Retired clinical dietician Marion Lee, who turns 81 next month, says retirement is not necessarily a time to slow down.

“But this is a false stereotype as there are many active seniors in their 70s, 80s and even 90s. Look at our current prime minister.

“I’ve never thought about ageing as it’s never crossed my mind. You just get on with your life. It’s a natural progression. There is nothing to worry about and I just go on doing what I like. “Actually, it’s a period where I have time to indulge in doing things I didn’t have time for before,” says Lee, who now resides in Sydney, Australia, and is enjoying her life to the fullest.

Lee, 80, is living her life to the fullest, and enjoying her golden years doing what she loves. Photo: Marion Lee

“My interests now are my family and especially my grandchildren, playing mahjong, eating durians, a lot of reading, travelling, attending musical shows and concerts and connecting with friends and relatives all over the world. I hope that I’ll be able to keep doing this for a long time and be fully independent till my time is up.

“Life is meant to be an adventure and there is no age when we should stop discovering new pleasures and adventures,” says Lee.

For retired physicist Prof Datuk Dr Chatar Singh, maintaining a purpose in life is key to being alert and active in his golden years.

Although he retired from teaching 34 years ago, the former physics professor from Universiti Sains Malaysia hasn’t been sitting idle.

Instead of teaching students theories and concepts, he now manages a scholarship programme for deserving Sikh students. He started the Penang Sikh Education Aid Fund, which has disbursed about scholarships for many deserving students.

“As an educationist, I believe that for any community to progress, its people must be educated. Any amount of wealth will not move you forward … people may rob you of your money or you may gamble it away but nobody and nothing can take education away from you,” he says passionately.

Dr Chatar speaks from experience – education helped lift his family out of poverty.

Born in Taiping in 1929, he worked all through his schooling years to help his family.

“I had a hard life. I worked as a watchman in a Nibong Tebal rubber estate. I also worked at a tin dredge in Kamunting, ploughed land in Tanjung Rambutan and also delivered milk to the mental hospital there. I drove a bullock cart at some point too.

“But still, I managed to get an education and by God’s grace, I am alive and kicking. I garden and plant my own vegetables. I golf a few times a week and still drive around town. But it’s my social work that keeps me busy,” says the proud Penangite.

For 90-year-old retired school teacher Abraham Ninan, the secret to active ageing is quite simple: be active.

“I always advised my students to engage in some form of activity apart from their studies. And it should be the same for us all throughout our lives. Even after retirement, activity should be a part of our everyday life,” says Niman, who goes for a walk or a hike – no less than a kilometre – everyday.

“As long as we are able, and in whatever capacity, we must contribute to society and help those in need. We need to be useful and helpful until the end,” he says.